Machine for molding articles



Feb. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 20. 1945 J. E. BALASQUlDlE MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES 15 Sheets-Sheet l k lf-g; .ij :j: l

NVENToR. Jose llBALAsQuloE. By v M, nvm@- ATTORNEKS Feb. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 20, 1945 J. E. BALASQUIDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES 1.5 Sheets-Sheet '2 INVENTOR. Joss E. BA .AsQu l DE.

ATTORNEYS.

J. E. BALAs'QulDE MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES Feb. 28, 1950 l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 20, 1945 a. a. BW.. 2 m ,ummm

\LA nl A T ORNEY.

Feb. 28, 1950 J. E. BALAsQUlDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES Filed Oct. 20, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 f 55 7 if 65a. 261 INVENToR. Jos: E.BALASQUIDE.

WML, 411,2

AT ORNEY.

Feb- 28, 1950 J. E. BALASQUIDE MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 20, 1945 .5. 5. Wm MW T N mw m WS E .1M A A B E W/ E JW Ummml Feb- 28 1950 J. E. BALAsQUlDl-z 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MLDING ARTICLES Filed om] 2o, 1945 15 sheets-sheet e sgg www" 19 7. 'K 124I 'IZq Feb. 28, 1950 J. E. BALASQUIDE MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES Filed oci. 2o, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 |NVENTR l Joss E. BALAsQumE.

VANI; n

Feb. 28, 1950 i J. E. BALASQUIDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES Filed Oct. 20, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 V g 174 175 172 171 J 17 I ./167/,4 --1113 176/' "j: 1 fff mvEN'roR. Jose E.BA1 AsQu|nc-:;

ATTO R N EYS.

Feb.. 28, 1950 J. E. BALASQUIDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES Filed Ocb. 20', 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 l T` l- O u: T2104- INVENTOR- Jos: E. BALAsQumE.

ATTO R N EYS.

Feb.` 28, 1950 J. E, ALASQUIDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES lfvyga Jose: E; BALASQUIDE.

BY 56a 58 @4wd/Maw ATTORN EYS.

Feb. 28, 1950 J, E. BALAsQUlDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES Filed oct. 2o, 1945 15 sheets-snelst 11 d MN- r- "1 a a i "1:3", n

j a N N QN l 5 F I1 E K-v- Y INVENTOR.

s Joss E.BAL.ASQUIDE. w E BY y l ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 28, 1950 J. E. BALAsQUlDE v MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Oct. 20, 1945 v INVENTOR. Jose E. BALASQUID..

Feb. 28, 1950 J. E. BALASQUIDE MACHINE FOR MoLDING ARTICLES 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOE.

Filed Oct. 20, 1945 ,..Jl I. IIIIIT (M, M s M ATTO RNEYS.

Feb- 28, 1950 J. E. BALAsQUlDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES v Filed oct. 2o', 1945 is sheets-sheet 14 LT ljvyi?.

530:1 52? 350 550B 55M Il l llll" INVENTOR.

AT ORNEYS.

Feb. 28, 1950 J. E. BALASQUIDE 2,499,209

MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES Filed Oct. 20, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 NVENTOR.

Y Jose E.BAL A5QU1DE ATTOR NEYS.

atentecl Feb. v28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR MOLDING ARTICLES J os E. Balasquide, Ponce, P. R.

Application October 20, 1945, Serial No. 623,596

25 Claims. l

My invention relates to an automatic machine for producing molded articles or products.

In accordance with my invention, the automatic machine hereinafter described is utilizable for producing selected products or articles such, for example, as tiles either of the licor, siding, roong or other type, shingles, slabs, bricks or blocks. Hereinafter, in this specication, products or articles of the character referred to above are generically termed tiles These tiles may have selected size and configuration as desired. They may be colored or non-colored and, if colored, the coloring (whether of one or more colors) may present or have a selected design or ornamental eiect. The tiles, on the 'face thereof which is to be exposed to view, may be either plain, contoured or corrugated as desired. Suitable materials such, for example, as cementitious materials, clays, fibrous materials, asphalt or compositions of materials may be utilized for forming the tiles. If the material to be molded is to be colored, suitable coloring material may be incorporated therein at the proper time during operation of the machine to produce the desired effect.

The tile-producing machine of my invention is formed from a plurality of units which operate automatically in timed relation to perform the various essential steps incident to the rapid production of high-quality tiles in an inexpensive manner.

An important feature of the machine relates to the combination of a multi-unit molding table movable step-by-step to different operative sta-y tions and a conveyor timed therewith which is utilizable for successively depositing chamberforming patterns in the respective forms or molds at one station and removing them therefrom at another station, the combination being characterized by the provision of an arrangement for supplying coloring material to the pattern chambers while it is disposed within a mold.

Another important feature of the machine relates to the combination described above with which there is associated units automatically operable to vibrate each form or mold, to fill each mold with tile-forming material, to level such material after the filling operation is completed, to apply high pressure to the material contained in each mold, to open the molds and to remove the formed tiles therefrom at a discharge station.

Another important feature of the machine relates to mold opening and closing mechanism together with an associated arrangement for cleaning the molds and for applying a film of oil or the like to surfaces of the m'olcl which are to be 2 subsequently engaged by the material to be molded.

Various other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the tile-producing machine, combinations and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one form of my novel machine, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the molding machine of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 2a is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a detailed feature of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, transverse, horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3a is a vertical sectional view showing the vvalve of Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5a is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, showing a detailed feature of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of my novel machine;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line lll-I0 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig.- 10a is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation, taken on the line Illa-Illa of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on either of the lines Il ll of Figs. 6 and 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11a. is a vertical, sectional view, partly in elevation, showing a track-supporting arrangement;

Fig. 12 is a vertical, sectional View, partly in elevation, illustrating a modified pattern holder;

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing a design-forming pattern;

Fig. 1.4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line lll-lllrof Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line AIfa--l5 -of Fig. 14 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing mechanism for material-leveling;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line IT-l'l of Fig. 16.;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, plan View illustrating a portion of theinechanism shown inFig. -16, co operating parts being illustrated in a different relation;

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line lil-190i Fig-17 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 20 is a plan View showing mold opening mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the-line .2 l-ZI .of Fig. 20;

Fig. 21a is a sectional view taken on line 21a- 21a of Fig. 2l;

Fig. 22 is aplan view, partly in section, showing a part of the mold opening mechanism;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged plan view showing the tile-removing mechanism of my invention;

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 25-25 `of Fig. 23 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 26 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 26-25 of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a horizontal sectional view showing the tile-holding mechanism in open position;

Fig. 28 is an enlarged, sectional -view` taken on the line 28-28 of Fig. 27 looking in the direction Aof the arrows;

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatic view illustrating rthe operation of the tile-removing mechanism;

Fig. 30 is an enlarged plan view showing the cleaning and oiling mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 31 is I-a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line 3 l-Si of Fig. 30 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 31a is a fragmentary view of the brush means, as shown in Fig. 31, which are employed for cleaning the mold members 58;

Figs. 32 and 33 areenlarged sectional views, partly in elevation, showing detailed features of the invention;

Fig. 34 is a plan view illustrating a mold opening mechanism;

Fig. 35 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line 35-35 of Fig. 34 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 36 is an enlarged plan View illustrating a detailed feature of the mechanism shown in'Fig.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, I have shown a suitably reinforced base l which is supported horizontally on a floor or other .suitable surface. Suitably secured to the upper surface of the vbase ,l as -by screws 2, Fig. 3, is the flange of a vertical,

4 internally threaded collar 3 having a vertical cylinder 4 threaded thereto. At its upper end, the cylinder d, supports an anti-friction device 5 which, in turn, supports a tubular stem 6 formed integrally with a horizontal table T. Secured to the stem 6 for rotatable movement therewith is the upper end of a rod 1 which extends downwardly through the cylinder 4 and has the lower end thereof journaled in an upstanding lug la, Fig. 3, of `the base l. Disposed zbetween a lower shouldered surface of *the rod '1 andthe upper surface of the lug la is an anti-friction thrust bearing 8 which takes the weight imposed on the rod v'1. Thus,in the manner described, the table T is freely supported for rotatable movement about vthe longitudinal axis of the rod 1.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, an electrical motor `9 is shown as secured to a pad upstanding from Yshown,di sposed in a.gear box il n supported bypthe pad last named. A shaft Izl receives power from thefaforesaid gear .reduction vmechanism and (said shaft Il carries a multi-groove lpulley ,I2 disposed in ther-same vertical vrplane with a similar pulley I3 secured to onevendiof a'shaft .Mv'journaledin alinedvbearingsformedat the respective upper ends of standards I5 .secured to and upstanding from-the base -I. Coactable with .the respective pulleys l2 and i3 are a plurality of endless belts y16 utilizable for ytransmitting -power from `the pulley vI 2 to thefpulley t3.

Securedto theshaftM isa bevelgear -I'I which :meshes with and drives a bevel gear I8 .rotatable with a shaft I9 journaled ina bearing formedby armember 20 having .a depending -section 20a which is suitably'securedtothe base l.

The shaft II9 has secured thereto asleeve 2| having formed lintegrally therewith lower and upper members `22 and =23 `forming part of a Geneva movement. The lo-wer member -22 is-symmetrically -disposed on opposite respective sides yof the-shaft I8 -and terminates in the oppositely disposed arcuate surfaces 22a. ySimilarly, the

' :upper Ymember -23 is symmetrically .disposedon Aopposite respective'sides of -saidshaft lil-and each end vthereof carries a depending roller 24.

A Vvertical shaft 25 is journaled -in another bearing formed by the aforesaid member 20. The shaft 25 has secured thereto a sleeve 26 having .formed 1integrally therewith a disk A2-1 forming .another part of the yaforesaidGeneva movement.

Asshown, the disk 21 has four radialgrooves 21a formed Von, .the `upper lsurface thereof. These grooves fare 4spaced -in right-angular relation with respect to each other and, between each set of grooves, the disk 2 is shaped arcuatelyas -indicated at 2lb. The shaft 25 extends -above the member 20 where it has a gear wheel .-2.8 secured thereto for rotatable movement therewith. .The gear wheel 28 meshes with a gear wheel 29 suitably secured .to rthe lowerendof asleeve A30 which, at its `upper end, yis secured vby screws 3| to the respective bosses 32 which depend from andare .formed integrally with the aforesaid table T.

In view of the 'foregoing description, itvwill be understood that operationof .the motor 9, through the described chain of mechanism, causes rotation of the 'member V23 in a vclockwise direction, Fig. 4. The rollers `2li of the member 23 successively coact with the surfaces Vdefining the respective grooves 21a-of the disk 2'! to impart steplay-step rotative movement vto the vlatter ina counterclock-vv'ise direction, Fig. 4. By reason of the connection afforded by the Vgear wheels 28 and 29, the movement thus imparted to the disk 21 is transmitted to the table T to effect step-bystep rotative movement thereof in a clockwise direction, Fig. 4. With the form of the invention herein disclosed, although not necessarily, the speed of the motor 9 is so chosen and the design of the power-transmitting mechanism including the Geneva movement is of such character that the table T moves through an angle of. twentyfour (24) degrees each time that a step of rotative movement is imparted thereto. In other words, the table T requires fifteen (15) steps of movement for a given point thereon to travel through an angle of 360 degrees. It will be understood that an arcuate surface 22a of the member 22 coacts with an arcuate surface 21h of the disk 21 during each stationary period of the latter. In this known manner, the disk 21 is anchored against undesired movement at those times when no power is being transmitted thereto by the member 23.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the hereinbefore described base l is shown as generally square except at the rear thereof where there is a central offset section. The base l, throughout the periphery thereof, is shown as Supporting an upstanding, vertical wall 34 which is suitably braced and supported so as to form a supporting structure utilizable a-s hereinafter described.

The hereinbefore described shaft I4 extends through the wall 34 at the front of ythe machine and has a bevel gear 35 secured to the end thereof, Figs. 2 and 4. Meshing with the bevel gear 35 is a bevel gear 36 secured to and rotatable with a horizontal shaft 31 terminating adjacent the respective sides of the machine, the ends of said shaft 31 carrying the respective bevel gears 38.

`A horizontal shaft 39 has a bevel gear 40 secured to the front end thereof in meshing engagement with one of the bevel gears 38, the rshaft 39 extending along one side of the machine and having a bevel gear 4| secured to the rear end thereof. Meshing with the bevel gear 4l is a bevel gear 42 secured to one end of a horizontal shaft 43 which extends toward the offset section of the wall 34. At the other side of the machine, a horizontal shaft 44 has a bevel gear 45 secured to the front end thereof in meshing engagement with the other bevel gear 38, the shaft 44 extending along one side of the machine and having a bevel gear 46 secured to the rear end thereof. Meshing with the bevel gear 46 is a bevel gear 41 secured to one end of a horizontal shaft 48 which extends toward the offset section of the wall 34.

The shafts 31, 39, 43, 44 and 46 are rotatably supported in suitable brackets 49 secured to the wall 34. Under the control of the motor 9, allof these shafts rotate at constant, uniform speed. They are utilized for timing and control purposes in the manner hereinafter described. In the form of the invention herein shown, each of the aforesaid shafts rotates once through an angle of 360 degrees for each cycle of movement of the machine, i. e., while the table T is pausing once and moving through one step of its indexing movement.

Referring to Fig. 1, the table T, in the form of the invention herein shown, is provided, adjacent its periphery, with fifteen square passages 54 which are spaced in,4 symmetrical relation with respect to each other with the longitudinal axis of each passage extending vertically. That is, there is an angle rofltwenty-four (24) degrees between each pair of adjacent passages 54.

As shown particularly in Fig. 31, the surface of each passage 54 is defined in part by a square ilange 54a which forms a seat for a square block 55, Figs. 30 and 31, having a square passage 55a, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with that of the passage 54 in which said block 55 is seated. The block passage 55a is defined in part by a square flange 55h, Fig. 30, which forms a seat for four follower bars 56 disposed at the respective sides of the block passage 55a. Each bar 56 comprises a guide pin 56a mounted for free movement in a guide passage provided therefor in the block 55. A pair of springs 51 engages each bar 56 to bias the same toward the center of the block passage 55a, these springs 51 being seated in recesses provided, respectively, therefor in the block 55.

Each follower bar 56 is flanged as indicated at 56D and these flanges cooperate to define a seat for a pair of form members 58 which, with the hereinafter described base plate, cooperate to define the form ormold F of my invention. Each form member 58 has right-angle shape and the respective sides thereof are engaged by a pair of the bars 56 which are disposed in right-angle relation to each other. Each form member 58, at each end thereof, comprises an obliquely arranged ear 58a. The arrangement is such that, at the respective diagonal corners of the form F, there are pairs of the ear 58a, the ears of each pair being disposed in spaced, parallel relation.

At one diagonal corner of the form F, Fig. 22, one of the ears 58a of the pair of ears is shown as having journaled therein a shaft 59 having a gear segment 66 secured to one end thereof. The other end of the shaft 59 is threaded as indicated at 59a for cooperation with an internally threaded passage formed in the adjacent ear 58a. Preferably, for dust-guarding purposes, one ear 58a carries a spring-biased cylindrical guard 6l adapted to be received in a passage 62 of corresponding configuration formed in the adjacent ear 58a.

In accordance with the invention, the pair of ears at the opposite diagonal corner of the form F have associated therewith mechanism which is a duplicate of that last described. Accordingly, in each instance, the same reference character has been applied to duplicate parts. From a consideration of Fig. 20, it will be observed that the two gear segments 66 are disposed in a single plane. Hence, they may readily be actuated in unison in the manner hereinafter described.

Referring particularly to Fig. 31, a spider 63 is shown as secured to the bottom surface of the block 55 in suitable manner, as by screws 64.

The spider 63 comprises a central, tubular portion 63a having its longitudinal axis disposed vertically for the free slidable reception of a rod 65a which issecured to or formed integrally with a base plate 65, the upper surface of which should be highly polished. The latter is square in crosssection and has exterior dimensions the same as the interior dimensions of the square form F when the form members 58 are closed. As illustrated in Fig. 31a, a suitable brush 66 is secured to the bottom surface of the base plate 65. The brush bristles extend outwardly beyond each side of the base plate 65 and they may be supported by twisted wires 61 which are secured to the bottom base plate surface by clips 68.

It will be understood, in View of the foregoing description, that, at the respective table passages 54, there are duplicate molding arrangements, each of which is formed from a block, a pair of form members, a base plate and associated said inner track 12 by Ascrews 113.

partsof fthe character illustrated iin Figs. BOand 31. VAs the table Tisfin'dexed orlmovedste'p-bystep 'throughout its circular path --cf jmovement, the molding `arrarigements 'aforesaid pause A`successively at different locations 'which will 1herein- -after be referredyto as stations or positionsI designated in Fig. 1 -faS St. I (Station I`),"St.`2 (Staby the broken lines of Fig. 31. When each form f F arrives Station =`I ,it is in the operative orclosed position described 'immediatelyfabo've.

If colored tiles are to kie-produced, a-fdevicel?, hereinafter referred to as a patternfis Vdeposited in each closedform vl while --theflatter pauses I atiStation I. Further, in laccordance with the invention as disclosedyeach form F, with ay pattern P therein, moves from-Station I to Station 6 and, during the pause `at Station 6, l"each :pattern P is removed from Eits form. Mechanism utilizable for this .purpose will now be described.

A plurality of 'vertical angle members 10, fFigs. 4 and 6, are shown as secured 'exteriorly to tlie front 'section of the hereinbefore described "wall 34. As shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of columns 1I are shown as upstanding 'from the base l'I to which 'they are secured in Ysuitable manner. These members '10 andcolumns 1"I `are 'connected in supporting relation 'to an inner, horizontal track 12 in any suitable manner. Themas-indi'- cated in Fig. 11a, a member 10 is :connected `to *A vgenerally similar arrangement may be provided ffor Icon'- necting the inner track 12 tothe columns 1:I. An outer, horizontal track 14 is ldisposed adjacent the inner track 'I2 in :uniform spaced-relation with respect thereto. One 'or :more Iplates 15 is or are secured by screws 19 'to :the upper Asurfaces of the tracks 12 and 14 to support the track 14 `and 'maintain `the vtracks in spaced :relation.

As shown in Fig. 6, 'the -two tracks 'comprise Ia -section at tthe front of the'mac'hine whichcis dis'- posedparallel with and outwardly fof the `front section of the wall' 13B. -At the respectivesides of the machine, there 'are'sectionsof thetwo tracks which are disposed at iri'ght "angles 4to the aforesaid front track section. The track sections :last noted -1nerge into angular `track `sections which are connected by a rear .track section extending parallel with the .front tracksection. On'eangular tracksectionextends transversely of lthe path of form travel yat the front of Station 4I whereas the 'other angular track sections lextends transversely of the path of form travel 'at the -rear of Station Ai5, Fig. 6.

Each of the tracks 12 and 11i, 1adjacent the respective upper lends thereof., 'arev-iia-nged as indicated at 1-8, Figs. 11 -a'nd lla; A plate 19, Figs. 10 Eand l1, :carries forward fand-*rear horizontal pins disposed 'at the kupper end thereof. Each of these pinssupportsapair-of rollers `89 which are disposed at the respective opposite sides of the :plate 19 and :areadaptedtorestupon the respective track iianges 18. The plate 19, belowthe rollers `89 is lshown as carrying Iforward and rear rollers `SI which are rotatable, respectively, Aabout `vertical axes, the rollers Sil engaging the inner track surfaces.

A central `section V'of the plate 19 extends beanstatt 4idw fthe ftraeiis `12, ira and terminates-1in ia fpai'r of av sprocket-chain j33, each pinJ-82 supporting a sprock'etfchain? roller l'84.

'Suitably secur`ed,=as by a screw `85,'t'o the afre'- sa'id central :section of l"the plate l"I 9 which `is 5dis"- Vbiased ifrom vrrigh'titc fl'eft, Fig. 41/1, by g"aspring (99 having Aone end in Aengagement withthe 'plunger 'and 'the "other-lend in engagement with 'the wall 81. The tube Secornp'rises `upper andlo'wer slots ldisposed in a vertical plane. Carried by r'the lplunger 'i's Aaverti'cal post "90"'wlfiich extends through the upper vtibe lslot and iforms J"a vlshipl'iort. for a vertical sleeve 9I engaged, on itsfin'iler-"sui"-y `face and in freely slidablerelationjby'aniannular surface 92a of a member 92, one e'nd "'of which terminates above .the sleeve 9I. The member 92 extends, in `freely vslitiable relation, downfwardly 'through the post90, the vplu`r`1i 2*,er"88 and the lower tube slot. The lower endiof theinem'- ber '92 serves as a finger j formed 'from `ann'iafrrgular section "9219 and a horizontalendfsectioh 92C. As shown in 11, a helical spring'93l is disposed within the sleeve 9| Iand functions t`o bias the meinberf92 'inyan upward diretiomthis Imovement "being discontinued when a pin 92d carried bythe annular surfacey'92a engagesasurface 'defining the 'top lof an :elongated slot provided jtnerefo'r "in :the vsleeve .9 i,

At the `right of the wallf81, Fglljtherejis'an arrangement which is a 'duplicate of vthat 'describedabove at the left ofthe wall 81. yAccord-- ingly, in each instance, the same reference char acter has been applied to vduplicate parts. It will be `noted that the spring '.39at thefrightfof the wall 81 biases the plunger `88 from fleft 'to right, Fig. Il, and that the `ringer ff associated with saidflastfnamedplunger faces in an "opposite direction from the finger 'f rst named. Howe ever, both ,fingers are 'disposed vand remain "at all times in .thefsame vertical plane.

Referring to Fig. 13, I have shown la pattern P formed fro'm'f our duplicate sidewalls 94 arranged inri'ght-angula'r relation and hence defining 'a chamber .which is square in vtransverse section. As illustrated, 'loop-shaped vhandles 95 `are vsecured, respectively, to tworof .the ywalls 94 which are disposed. in facing relation. Disposed lwithin "the aforesaid chamber is a circular wall 96 haviinga diameter corresponding with van internal, transverse Idimension of said chamber. Disposed within the .chamber defined. by lthe Viirc`ula`. r Jwall are -four arcuate -walls .91 .symmetrically `ar- .rangedv with respect ytoI each other ,to 'form a .design-having thedesired appearance. `The wallsv A911, 96and 9.1 are-suitablysecured together Ain the relation shown and are formed fro'm .suitable material such, for example, as thin sheet steel.

In the full line showing of Fig. r11, .a .pattern P is .representedas held in yelevated po'sit'iorrby the viingers f. `As will be noted the pattern-handles 95 are vengaged `withthe respective Yiing'ers f at the junction -of the angular sections y921) with the respective vertical `sections .of .the members 92. lAs shown by the full lines .in Fig. 1l, ajll of the springs 89, 89 Vand `93, 93 are expanded; Accordingly, the `fingers fremaininf'thejre .spective illustrated 1positions to positively #retain the pattern P in elevated position. l As herein#- after described, in order to lower the pattern P, the members 92 are moved toward each other against the expansive effect of the springs 93. In order to elevate said pattern P, the members 92 are moved toward each other against the expansive effect of the springs 93 and, simultaneously, said members 92 are lowered against the expansive effect of the springs 93; at the proper time, all of the springs are released to thereby elevate the pattern.

In accordance with the invention, the tracks l2, 14 support a desired number of the plates 19 which may be secured, in the manner described with respect to the aforesaid plate 19, in uniform, spaced relation to the sprocket chain 83. It will be understood that the plates T9 are duplicates and that each of them supports a set of parts which are duplicates of the respective parts carried by the rst described plate 19. Each plate 19, then, supports a tube 86 and the latter, in turn, movably supports the fingers f which serve, as stated, to support a pattern P. Hereafter, in this specification, each complete mechanism referred to above will be designated the pattern support.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the above described sprocket-chain 83 engages a plurality of suitably journaled, idler sprocket wheels 98 and a suitably journaled driven sprocket wheel 99. For driving the sprocket wheel 99, the hereinbefore described shaft 3l, Fig. 6, is shown as having secured thereto a gear wheel |99 which meshes with and drives a gear wheel secured to the lower end of a suitably journaled, vertical shaft |92 which, at its upper end, has the above described sprocket Wheel 99 secured thereto. Accordingly, during operation of the machine, the sprocket chainl83 moves continuously and at uniform speed in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 6, and carries the uniformly spaced pattern supports therewith. The timing and arrangement is such that, just after each step of movement of the table T has been completed, the sprocket chain |33` moves one pattern support above Station and another pattern support above Station 6.

Referring to Fig. 13, a line L is represented which is perpendicular to one pair of opposite side walls 99 of the pattern P midway between the ends of said pattern walls. Another line LI is represented which is perpendicular to the other pair of opposite side walls of the pattern midway between the ends of the pattern walls last named.v The point of intersection of the lines L and Ll coincide with the center of the pattern P.

A form F is shown as positioned at Station l in Fig. 6 and a line M is represented which is perpendicular to one pair of opposite 'walls of said form F midway between the ends of said form walls. Another line MI is represented which is perpendicular to the other pair of opposite walls of the stationary form F midway between the ends of the form walls last named. The point of intersection of the lines M and Ml coincides with the center of the form F.

When the forms F are square in transverse section as hereinbefore described, each of the patterns P, likewise, is square in transverse secl tion. However, each pattern P is smaller than each form F to such slight extent that, when a. pattern is disposed in any form, the adjacent form and pattern surfaces are in close engagement. It will be understood that the t between pattern and lform should not be SQ' C1056 5S W* preventl ready insertion of a pattern in .a formor removal therefrom. v

In accordance -with the invention, then,'each' pattern support continuously moves fromStation 6 toward Station IV and, while so doing, carriesa pattern P, each pattern, during this movement, being held in elevated position as shown vby the broken lines in Fig. 11. Witha form F stationary at Station I, the foremost pattern Pl carried'by the sprocket chain 83 moves into a position thereabove and, just prior to the time that the center defined,v by ,the intersecting pattern lines LV and LI arrives'vertically above the center denedby the intersecting form lines M and Ml the ngers f carrying said pattern P are actuated, in the` plate H34 extending-transversely with respect to' the tracks 'l2 and 'M and being positioned above the path taken bythepattern supports. `At its outer end, the plate |94 comprises a depending section Milla `to which is suitably secured the angular endof a cam plate Illia.` rIhe angularend of a duplicate cam plate |06 is supported in suitable manner, as by attachment to the outer surface of the track lil. As shown in Fig. 11,

the cam plates |96 extend toward each other and they are disposedin the same horizontal plane. y,

Referringfurther to Fig.v 11, a member illllis shown as -depending from and secured tofthe aforesaidplate section |0412. The member-T491 terminates in a guide plate |08 which'cooperates with another guide plate |69 secured to the track l2. The plates |08 and |99 are spaced aparta distance only slightly greater than the width of the pattern P. l

While each patternI P is being 4carried toward Stationv l, the parts carried Vby, the pattern sup'- port are positioned as shown" by the full lines in Fig.I 11, That is, the springs 89, 8.9 and 93, 93 are fully expanded with the result that the plungers 88 are in their outer, respective positions while the members 92 are in their upper respective positions. v Under the control of sprocket chain 83, a pat tern support and the thereby-carried pattern P arrive closely adjacent Station l and, during con-y tinued movement of said sprocket chain, the sleeves of the pattern support 9| are moved *into engagement with the respective cam surfaces IUGa, Fig. 6, of the cam plates |06. As a'result, the sleeves 9| and the respective fingers f carried thereby are moved, while compressing the respective springs 89 and 89, close to the respective positions thereof shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1l, this action being accompanied by lowering movement of the pattern P, as the handles 95 slide down the respective angular sections 92D of the ngers fand come to rest upon the respective horizontal finger sections'92c. Eventually, at substantially the exact time that the center of the pattern P arrives vertically above the center of the form F, the pattern sleeves9l pass into engagement with the highest parts` of the respective cam surfaces |96@ whereupon the linger. end sections 92h 'are disengaged from the re-l spectivepattern handles 95 and the. patternP 

